India & Pakistan should abolish the visa system: Ansar Burney

AGENCIESApr 13, 2008, 07.04pm IST

CHANDIGARH: Former Pakistani Human Rights Minister Ansar Burney on Sunday said that India and Pakistan should abolish the visa system to facilitate "unrestricted movement" of people between the two countries.

"I strongly believe that if the two nations are to really strengthen their ties, they should scrap the visa system. Both the governments will need to take this initiative as people on the two sides want peace and are keen to mingle freely with each other," Burney said.

"The people are filled with immense love for each other and the politicians on both sides should not limit themselves to just handshakes, but go with the people's sentiments," he added,

Burney, who played a key role in release of Kashmir Singh, said: "I am ready to act as a bridge if two sides will move forward to end the visa regime."

Talking about the External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee's visit to Pakistan in May, Burney expressed hope that it would give a "further boost" to the bilateral ties.

"After the recent elections in Pakistan and with a new government in place, there have been positive signals coming out from our side. Our leaders, including Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari are all keen to improve ties with India," he said.